…features of Brugada syndrome are fairly specific to the disorder, provided that the clinical characteristics are in line with the disorder. There are however other…

…the commonest cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, but the differential diagnosis includes oesophagitis, gastritis, a Mallory Weiss tear, a Dieulafoy lesion, angiodysplasia, malignancy and an…

…underlying cause is often serious (e. g. malignancy, amyloidosis). In case of suspicion of pericardial disease, in the first place, an echocardiographic examination is done…

…Autoimmune/Malignancy: A history suggesting an autoimmune disorder or known malignancy may suggest specific, nonidiopathic etiologies [2]. Summary of Pain Characteristics The following table synthesizes…

…implantation should always be specified. Coronary arterial thrombi are predominantly platelet rich because they form under high shear conditions. Disruption of an atherosclerotic plaque or…

…beats per minute. Note that with a paper speed of 25 mm/s, which is standard in the US and many other countries, a 2…

…begins in parallel with the diagnostic work up. Obtain an interpretable 12 lead ECG within 10 minutes of first medical contact, attach continuous rhythm monitoring…

…treatment — modification of loading, eccentric exercise, an NSAID, an orthosis — has not given a sufficient effect. Contraindications Absolute: Cellulitis, a skin wound or other infection…

…and guidelines do not state any ECG criteria specific to R wave progression. Figure 1. Pathological R wave progression is indicative of previous myocardial infarction…

…in five for stroke. Sex and gender are distinct but interacting determinants of cardiovascular health. Sex refers principally to biological characteristics, including chromosomal complement, anatomy…

…blood pressure Other cardiovascular risk factors and relevant comorbidities Evidence of hypertension mediated organ damage Existing cardiac, cerebrovascular, or renal disease The possibility of a…

…Criteria for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) The diagnosis of STEMI relies on specific electrocardiographic thresholds for ST segment elevation measured at the J point…

…alternative etiologies are excluded by diagnostic testing or failed therapeutic trials. If alternative causes of cough are suspected, specific diagnostic pathways may be pursued. Spirometry

…evaluation of non traumatic chest discomfort is structured around three principal diagnostic categories: Myocardial ischaemia , particularly acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Other cardiopulmonary causes , including myopericardial…

…Familial and genetic screening in cardiovascular medicine is the systematic assessment of relatives and other individuals who may carry an inherited predisposition to cardiovascular disease…

…reserve (FFR) is an invasive, lesion specific physiological index used to estimate the functional significance of an epicardial coronary stenosis. It is defined during maximal…

…responds to further cholinesterase inhibition. The test has a sensitivity of around 60 % and is not specific: motor neurone disease, myopathies and Lambert–Eaton syndrome…

…preferably anteroposteriorly : one anteriorly over the praecordium to the left of the sternum, the other on the back between the left scapula and the spine…

…C and other apoB containing lipoproteins within the arterial wall. This initiates inflammatory reactions that promote plaque formation and progression. As the burden of retained…

Cardiology Definition and purpose Cardiovascular risk assessment estimates an individual’s probability of experiencing cardiovascular disease (CVD) over a defined period. SCORE2 and SCORE2 Older…

…atrial fibrillation, and other arrhythmias or conduction abnormalities. CKD also worsens the prognosis of established CVD. Mechanisms linking CKD to cardiovascular disease The association is…

…control in atrial fibrillation, particularly when other therapeutic options cannot be pursued. Patients receiving digoxin may present with symptoms of digitalis toxicity, which manifests across…

…including neprilysin. Their respective half lives therefore differ substantially: approximately 20 minutes for BNP and 90 minutes for NT proBNP. Consequently, plasma concentrations of the…

…Myocardial ischemia and infarction Definition and pathophysiology Myocardial infarction (MI) is a clinical diagnosis that integrates myocardial injury, evidence of acute myocardial ischaemia, electrocardiographic findings…

…is mediated by the combined effects of hyperglycaemia, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, smoking and other conventional risk factors, together with diabetes specific vascular and metabolic abnormalities…

…to treat (NNT) for the ACLS specific interventions is much higher or uncertain, meaning that the efficacy of these interventions is much lower or uncertain…

…have specific contraindications: Adenosine, Dipyridamole, Regadenoson : Should be avoided in patients with active bronchospasm, severe hypotension, or high degree AV block. Caffeine and other methylxanthines…

…and subject preparations. We will also discuss the relevance of withholding specific cardioactive medications during exercise testing (exercise ECG). Indications for exercise stress test Indications…

…more powerful, equipped with an increasing number of methods to interrogate organ structure and function. Ultrasound imaging, including echocardiography, has become a standard tool for…

…vagal tone does not necessitate treatment but it might be wise to observe the patient for 24 hours (including ECG monitoring). In all other situations…

…of the ST segment depression. The horizontal ST segment depression is more specific than the downsloping depression. Refer to Figure 1 . Figure 1. Characteristics of…

…and the same assumption can be made for the other valves. The area is calculated by measuring the diameter of the valve ( area = π …

…specific troponin elevation above the 99th percentile. The clinical presentation should not be interpreted in isolation. The initial diagnosis and triage depend on integration of…

…not provide information on biomarkers or laboratory findings specific to the evaluation of bradycardia. Treatment and Management, Including Acute and Long Term Strategies The initial…

…ostia. It remains the reference standard for defining the extent of coronary artery disease because it provides anatomical information while permitting functional assessment and, when…

…and lesion haziness raise suspicion of thrombus, although haziness is not specific. Intravascular imaging can identify plaque disruption, thrombus and other structural features that may…

…CABG. Physical examination findings are not specific to left main disease. The examination should nevertheless assess the consequences of extensive myocardial ischaemia, including heart failure…

…higher probability of secondary hypertension. Patients may also have comorbid features associated with a greater cardiovascular risk among those with resistant hypertension, including older age…

…risk factor [2] . This change reflects robust evidence that female sex alone, in the absence of other comorbidities, does not significantly increase stroke risk. Conversely…

…the onset of myocardial infarction. Cardiac troponin T and troponin I have emerged as the preferred biomarkers because they are extremely sensitive and specific for…

…mentioned below are discussed in detail in other chapters, to which links are provided throughout the text. Heart rate During the first week of life…

…On the other hand, sinus bradycardia developing during physical exercise is considered abnormal, because heart rate must increase during exercise. Mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias The…

…to recite the months of the year backwards. A normal result does not exclude delirium, however, and an abnormal result is not specific to delirium…

…prediction tool currently exists. At the other end, roughly two thirds of ICDs implanted for reduced LVEF never deliver an appropriate shock, so the false…

…of supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs), usually within 30 seconds. Doses higher than 18 mg are unlikely to revert a tachycardia and should not be used. Specific…

…The magnitude of untreated LDL C elevation. The presence and age of onset of premature CAD or other vascular disease. A history of myocardial infarction…

…potentially indicating microvascular dysfunction or other pathologies. The software allows for detailed regional analysis of myocardial perfusion, highlighting specific segments of the left ventricle that…

…risk of serious arrhythmias. This is possible because there is a correlation between the severity of electrolyte imbalance and the visible ECG changes. Specific electrolyte…

…Always follow the local protocol for exact infusion rates, electrolyte concentrations and level of care. This quick reference is intended primarily for adults and summarises…

…whereas others have brief or asymptomatic episodes that are not detected during routine clinical assessment. The clinical burden of AF does not reliably predict stroke…

…Lathundar Key messages Two things set the COPD exacerbation apart from many other causes of acute dyspnoea: oxygen must be titrated cautiously and the blood…

…and other relevant information for the drug Ticagrelor . Table 1 Summary Indications Ticagrelor, in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is indicated for the prevention of…

…C) is the principal therapeutic target in lipid management because LDL and other apolipoprotein B containing lipoproteins play a causal role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease…

…and infarction Myocardial ischemia: cellular changes, ECG signs and development of infarction Like all other cells in the human body, cardiac myocytes use ATP (adenosine…

…history, a positive Dix–Hallpike test and the absence of other neurological findings. The treatment is a repositioning manoeuvre. Indications Brief attacks of vertigo, seconds…

…acetylsalicylic acid at the first sign of skin rash, mucosal lesions, or hypersensitivity. Interactions Pharmacodynamic interactions Anticoagulants, thrombolytics, or other platelet aggregation inhibitors: Salicylates inhibit…

…cardiovascular death, and progression of atherosclerotic disease in patients with established coronary or other atherosclerotic vascular disease. Antiplatelet therapy is a central component because platelet…

…aggregation. Because aspirin affects only one pathway of platelet activation, its antiplatelet effect is relatively limited compared with agents that inhibit other platelet pathways. The…

…peripheral artery disease (PAD), and other manifestations of systemic atherosclerosis. The principal clinical concern is cerebral embolism or haemodynamic compromise leading to transient ischaemic attack…

…with homozygous FH typically die from acute myocardial infarction at 20 to 30 years of age. People with familial hypercholesterolemia have no other metabolic aberration…